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Hitting isn't everything in Padres-Giants series

Just looking down the batting averages of the Giants, you'd think left-hander Clayton Richard was about to face some sort of offensive superpower, not a San Francisco offense that's often been derided as the club's major weakness.

No fewer than four of the batters in tonight's lineup _ Aaron Rowand, Matt Downs, Bengie Molina and Nate Schierholtz _ are batting over .300. Pablo Sandoval and Aubrey Huff are both holding above .280, too.

By comparison, the lone Padres hitters starting tonight with average above .279 are Chase Headley (.313) and Yorvit Torrealba (.294).

Yet the Padres, in addition to leading the Giants atop the NL West standings, have won all four games against San Francisco this season.

After ruining what had been a perfect season for lefty Barry Zito on Tuesday night, they face another hot Giants pitcher tonight in right-hander Matt Cain, who has allowed a total of just five hits in his last two outings. You'd also note that opponents are batting .209 against, ranking him 10th in the NL, but two of the San Diego starters (Tony Gwynn and Jerry Hairston Jr) come into this game hitting right aroudn there anyway.